As the seasons go 'round, new holidays
replace the old. Among those that have dropped off the ritual circuit are the
saints' days of the Anglican Church popular in Old Virginia. For example,
Williamsburg's Virginia Gazette of October 7, 1737, announced on November 30—St.
Andrew's Day:

It is
propos'd, that 20 Horses or Mares do run round a Three Mile Course, for a Prize
of the Value of Five Pounds, according to the usual Rules of Racing; That every
horse that runs shall be first enter'd with Mr. Joseph Fox, and that no Person
have the Liberty of putting in a Horse, unless he is a Subscriber toward
defraying the Expence of this Entertainment, and pay to Mr. Fox Half a Pistole
of it at entring his Horse.

That a Hat of the Value of 20s. be cudgell'd for, and that after the first Challenge made, the Drums
are to beat, once every Quarter of an Hour, for Three Challenges round the
Ring; on no Answer made, the Person Challenging to be entitled to the Prize;
and none to Play with their Left Hand.

These
festivities were accompanied by a fiddler's competition, a singing competition,
a wrestling match, a boys' race—with a hat valued at twelve shillings as
the prize—and a beauty contest:

That a
Pair of handsome Silk Stockings of One Pistole Value, be given to the
handsomest young Country Maid that appears in the Field; With many other
whimsical and Comical Diversions, too tedious to mention here.